The elephant in the room for the Dallas Cowboys and the fan base has been the upcoming contract negotiation for star pash-rushing linebacker Micah Parsons.

Expected to be the highest-paid defensive player in history, given how the Cowboys have handled their business with the contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the prospect of doing that with Micah is nightmare fuel—not to mention what it could do for Dallas’ free agency plans.

Parsons hasn’t always said the right things in public, but his latest comments show that he is developing into the leader this franchise needs him to be.

Firstly, he stated that he doesn’t “need” $40 million APY, which is what most people think his contract was trending toward. Then came the question of whether, like Lamb, Micah would hold out in search of his desired contract.

What Parsons said next shows the positive steps he’s taken to be the leader this organization needs.

“I definitely think I need to be here in camp,” Parsons said. “Honestly, when so much of the defense is surrounded by your play, your presence and others getting lined up based off of you, I need to be here so that way I can get these guys accordingly, we can rush together, build that chemistry. So I think it’s extremely important that I’m back at OTAs and mini camp and all those type of things.”

Tick, tick, and tick, Micah.

Parsons wants his contract done, but it won’t be at the expense of the team.

Given that Parsons’ presence alone is enough for offenses to tailor their entire game plan to stop him, being there for the dog days is training camp, and building that chemistry is crucial…and Micah knows it.

So yes, Parsons is in line for a huge payday, but he isn’t looking to be the highest-paid defensive player in history, nor does he intend to hold out.

Why? Because he’s putting the team first, wants other great players around him, and wants that Super Bowl ring. All of that trumps getting a monster contract.

And yes, that is his agent you can hear screaming.